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Topic: Conviction! (Read 2388 times)

Ah, so now I understand who this guy is. His name keeps popping up on Grand Forks Life.

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Ex-Jailer Convicted of Killing Student

By DALE WETZEL – 2 days ago

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A former jailer was found guilty Friday of attacking a college student in her off-campus apartment, strangling her with a belt and stabbing her in the neck with two knives taken from her kitchen.

A previous trial against Moe Gibbs, 35, for the slaying ended with a hung jury in July.

This time a seven-man, five-woman jury deliberated for more than 27 hours before convicting Gibbs of murder. Valley City State University student Mindy Morgenstern, 22, was attacked in September 2006.

One spectator shrieked as the verdict was read. Others hugged each other, sobbing.

Gibbs was impassive, closing his eyes briefly while his fiancee stared straight ahead on a bench behind him. He faces a maximum punishment of life in prison without the possibility of parole at his Dec. 17 sentencing.

Morgenstern's father, Larry, said the verdict "doesn't bring her back."

"Hopefully, it won't happen to someone else again," Larry Morgenstern said. "That's about all we can ever hope comes out of this now."

Gibbs still faces a December trial for a 2004 Fargo rape charge, and charges that he sexually assaulted five female inmates at the Barnes County jail while he worked there.

Jurors in the case declined to speak to reporters as they left the courthouse. Attorneys in the case declined comment.

At the request of a lawyer for Gibbs, Jeff Bredahl, Southeast District Judge John Paulson continued a gag order that limits what attorneys and witnesses may say about the case. Bredahl said he wanted the gag order continued "for purpose of appellate issues."

Amy Gibbs, who has been a vocal defender of her fiancee, declined comment afterward. Shortly after the verdict was announced, Bredahl turned to her and said, "Amy, you don't say a thing to anybody, all right?"

Investigators found Gibbs' DNA on the fingernails of Morgenstern's left hand after the slaying. Prosecutors argued it came from Morgenstern's final struggle with Gibbs, while his defense lawyers suggested it may have been transferred when the two touched the same object. Morgenstern and Gibbs lived in the same apartment building in Valley City.

Yes, it was under his fingernails, and why there was not much DNA evidence is because he cleaned the whole place with Pinesol. I am just happy he was finally convicted after the screw up by the VC police.